Edward j



(No Model.)

' '3. J. VRAALSTAD.

AXLE.

; Patented-Nov-.= 12 1895.

I UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

EDWARD J. VRAALSTAD, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

AXLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,552, dated November12, 1895.

Application filed May 2'7, 1895. Serial No. 550,822. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. VRAALSTAD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Axles, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to axles, the construc tion and objects of whichwill be hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the axle; Fig. 2, a topplan view, and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 sectional views showing certain detailsof construction.

The object of my invention is to produce a trussed metallic axleprovided with removable skeins.

So far as I am aware those axles heretofore used which employed aremovable skein have been constructed partly of wood and partly ofmetal, and were, from the nature of their construction, unable towithstand any considerable weight or any great strain.

Referring to the annexed drawings, A and B designate, respectively, thebars which form the body proper of the axle. These bars are formed ofmalleable iron or steel, about two and one-fourth inches in breadth byfiveeighths of an inch in thickness, and when in position are so placedthat the weight of the load will come upon their edges.

At a suitable distance from the ends and between the bars are placedspacing-blocks O 0, bolts or rivets being passed through both bars andthe blocks, thus securely fastening the parts together. The width ofthese blocks is about the same as the breadth of the bars, though I donot desire to confine myself to any exact proportion of parts.

D D indicate the chairs for the truss-rod, and are secured between thebars A and B about midway between the spacing-blocks G and the center ofthe axle. The lower ends of the chairs extend below the lower face ofthe axle and termina te,preferably, in a curved seat a for the receptionof the truss-rod.

At the center of the axle there is secured a block E, which fits inbetween the bars A and B, said block being provided with a socketjointfor convenience in securing it to the body of the vehicle in connectionwith which the axle is to be used. Obviously the block might be providedwith a vertical opening for the reception of the ordinary king-bolt, orwhere the axle is to be used as a fixed one a simple spacing-block willsuffice.

F F indicate the skeins, which are cored out, forming sockets oropenings G H in each end thereof. The wall or web I) separating thesockets from each other is provided with an opening 0, through which thetruss-rod I passes. This truss-rod is formed of two part s, which areheaded at their outer ends and connected at their inner ends, aboutmidway of the length of the axle, by means of a turnbuckle J.

In assembling the. parts the bars A and B are bolted or securedtogether, with the spacing-blocks C 0, chairs D D, and block E interposed. The ends are then sprung or bent nearly together and theskeins passed thereon. The threaded ends of the sections of the trussrodare then passed through the opening 0 c between the bars A and B underthe chairs D D, and are finally united at the center by the turnbuckleJ. By turning the turnbuckle the truss-rod will be put under tension andthe skeins will be drawn squarely and firmly against the ends of thebars A and B.

By this construction I secure a strong, rigid, and durable axle theskeins of which are readily removable and which also performs thefunction of holding together the ends of the bars of which the axle-bodyis composed. The drawing or springing of the bars together at their endsforms a stiff and unyielding body, which, taken in connection with thetruss-rod, enables me to use much lighter material than could otherwisebe done to secure the requisite strength.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A metallic axlecomposed of bars or rods, metallic skeins mounted upon and serving tohold the ends of said bars in place; and a truss rod uniting saidskeins.

2. A metallic axle composed of bars or rods, bent or sprung togethertoward their ends, metallic skeins mounted upon and serving to hold theends of said bars in place; and a truss rod uniting said skeins.

3. In an axle, the combination of the bars A and B; the interposedspacing blocks and chairs; the metallic skeins fitting over the ends ofthe bars; and the adjustable and removable truss rod uniting the skeins.

l. In combination with a metallic axle, a skein provided with sockets inits opposite ends, a web or wall separating said sockets; an opening insaid walls; and a headed truss rod passing through said opening and bearing against the web or wall.

5. In an axle, the combination of the bars A and 13; metallic skeinsfitting over the ends of the bars; and a truss rod passing through theskeins and between. the ends of the bars; whereby the skeins may bedrawn tightly upon the ends of the bars and the truss rod clampedbetween said ends.

6, An axle comprising two separated bars set up edgewise and convergingat their ends; skeins mounted upon and embracing the ends ot the bars;and a truss rod between the bars and connected at the ends to theskeins.

7. In an axle, the combination of the bars A and B; the interposedspacing blocks and chairs; the skeins provided with sockets for engagingthe ends of the bars, and having an opening through the end wall of thesockets; a truss rod comprising two sections, headed and threaded attheir opposite ends, said sections adapted to be passed through theopenings in the skeins, bet-ween the ends of the bars, under the chairs,and fastened by a turnbuckle, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

EDlVARD J. "RAALSTAD.

\Vitnesses:

.T. B. OLMsTED, J. W. OLMsTEn.

